Family Friends: A Tyrus High School AU

28 - Finale

Graduation. It was Cyrus' High School graduation day.

It wasn't how he had pictured it at all in his head. His father was his only parent there - they had resuscitated their relationship and Cyrus now lived with him.

His mother and Todd still lived a Cyrus-Free lifestyle but Cyrus was coming to terms with it.

Just like how High School began, two of his closest companions - Andi and Buffy were in loving relationships and he was single. 

But unlike how High School began, Cyrus wasn't being taken for granted or overshadowed by anyone. As valedictorian, today was his.

Before he gave his speech, he looked around frantically for his special freckled friend. He needed that soothing wide smile to calm his nerves.

But his chair was empty.

So he did the next best thing - Cyrus closed his eyes and imagined him. He knew that in anticipation, TJ would be stroking his chin with the side of his thumb. Cyrus always joked that this was his attempt to grow a beard there.

Cyrus tapped the microphone and began his speech,

"I usually find valedictorian speeches tedious and a little pretentious so I won't speak for long. 

These past few years, I've been through a lot. And it's all been pretty public. I still receive help for the things I've been through. I still can't look at my mother in the eyes. It still hurts. But I just want to say to anyone who feels like they're too different that it can get better. A lot better. And most days, I'm really happy.

 I like who I am. And I'm excited to see who I will become," Cyrus concluded, waving and smiling at the rows of chairs.

There were many green eyes looking up at him from the crowds, but not the pair he was looking for.

The reason for that was simple. The owner of these eyes was walking up to the podium. 

Cyrus' eyes widened. He had never seen TJ shake so much.

"I'm here to celebrate Cyrus." He began, clearing his throat. "I did my Freshman year here at Jefferson but I couldn't take how I was being treated. So Cyrus was selfless and encouraged me to go to another school. Then, Cyrus was selfless and broke up with me so that I would have better chances. Then he was selfless and never once complained about having to suffer alone. Then he offered help to others in similar situations to himself even when he was displaced from his own home. All of you need to respect your Valedictorian because he's incredible." TJ concluded before returning to his seat.

The graduation party commenced after the commotion had died down.

Andi and Amber danced together as did Buffy and Marty. Eventually, they danced in all the combinations they could think of until they became dizzy.

Cyrus was still in his cap and gown outside thinking.

TJ came out to join him after around half an hour.

"Why, TJ?" He asked, turning around. The height difference between them remained as stark as it used to be but Cyrus was different in every other way now.

"Why do I have to love you? After all these years. Every time I start to move on, you do something like that and then we are apart again and the situation is never right." Cyrus said the frustration prevalent in his voice was not particularly aimed at TJ. But everything.

"Muffin-" TJ began.

"Please, stop. I'm going to college and maybe I'll meet someone new, or maybe I won't. But maybe I'll get over these feelings we'll make the best of friends. Like we used to be," He said solemnly, taking a bite of a muffin that he had taken from the party.

"There was never anything wrong with us, it was always the situation. We're both going to UCLA, Cyrus. The time is finally right for us." TJ responded optimistically.

"I don't want to get heartbroken again. I'm only 18. I care about myself too much now to allow myself to suffer through that again. UCLA is massive, how do I know we'll make time for each other?" Cyrus replied, nodding his head to convince himself.

"We will. We always did. Do you remember our Wednesday skype lunches? We were both hurting but we did it together. Things are more stable with our parents now and we'll be in the same place again. Tell you what, we'll go on a date. Right now. If you don't feel how you used to feel or if I don't, we'll be great friends. Deal?" TJ said raising one eyebrow.

"Deal," Answered Cyrus, hoping he'd be able to muster the strength to say no later on.

TJ took Cyrus' hand and ran in the direction of the park.

He took his pale green tie and tied it around Cyrus' eyes.

He held his shoulders and led him around the park. Eventually, the blindfold was taken off and TJ was sat in front of Cyrus at the swings.

"See, you still trust me. You followed me even though you were bursting with questions. And you didn't struggle because you knew I'd never hurt you." TJ explained.

"And here we are, the place where we first met as kids," Cyrus said, fighting the smile emerging on his lips or echoing his voice. TJ knew that Cyrus loved romantic grand gestures that still managed to be personal. And he was just beginning.

"Here is where a very small boy saved me. And told the other kids that they couldn't make fun of the patterns on my face. He gave me a hug that day and declared that I was his best ever friend in front of the whole playground.

And later that boy and I tried to get married. And one day we will. Rice and all." TJ reminisced.

"Next stop!" He exclaimed, wrapping his tie around Cyrus' eyes once more.

He led him to one of his favourite places. 

The elderly home. Tonight's production was "Grease". 

The actor playing "teen angel" greatly surprised Cyrus. It was TJ and his incredibly croaky voice. He was willing to make a fool out of himself in front of all the senior citizens in Shadyside in order to show Cyrus that he was still silly. And that they could always laugh together.

Cyrus laughed until teardrops formed in his eyes. One of the ladies (that had been extremely close to his Bube Rose) poked him in the sides with her bony elbows and whisper shouted about how handsome Tj looked.

"How was I?" TJ asked.

"You're lucky you're cute," Cyrus murmured, butterflies rushing through his stomach.

"Now' The Spoon'!" TJ said, giving up on the blindfold idea because he was tired of directing Cyrus around.

Amber had given him the key to the now dimly lit diner and TJ snuck into the back to make Cyrus a milkshake.

"This is the last stop, Muffin," TJ said.

"Couples' milkshake," He began, gesturing to the two straws he held in his left hand, "Or separate milkshakes?" He asked, awaiting Cyrus' reply.

"Couples' milkshake only if we get to make baby taters in the back," Cyrus responded playfully,"

"You know it," TJ responded, exhaling a sigh of relief.

Cyrus gestured for TJ to sit with him on the same side of the booth.

"Best graduation party ever," Cyrus said resting his head on TJ's shoulder.

"It's not over yet, Muffin," TJ said mischievously.

They snuck into the back and cooked burgers, baby taters, brownies and fries each taking turns to choose a song. 

TJ and Cyrus sat on the counter-top and looked at each other. Cyrus inched closer and placed a tender kiss on TJ's lips.

"I missed being your boyfriend, Theo," He whispered.

"Me too," TJ responded breathlessly.